Select Local Merchants

North City Bistro in Shoreline is a well-known bar, delivering a quiet atmosphere peaceful ambience with wonderful seafood. It's a culinary destination for those interested in delicious food.
If you're planning ahead, most people will agree that Thursdays and Fridays are the best nights to visit. Also, you'll definitely want to take advantage of its outdoor seating when the Pacific Northwest weather cooperates. It should be noted that casual attire is encouraged. Also, if you're in the mood for tunes, it's a great option for live music.
If you just feel like stopping by for a drink, the restaurant has helpful bar staff (and a good selection behind the bar).
A dinner staple in the community for more than a quarter century, North City Bistro is always a good option to satisfy that next munchies craving. Don't worry about trying to find a spot on the street, as visitors to the restaurant do have access to a private parking lot nearby. Would you rather ride there? Bike parking is also provided.

You won't be disappointed at Goldie's Shoreline Casino in Shoreline, where well-prepared eats and delicious drinks rule the menu.
Health nuts will love Goldie's Shoreline Casino for its gluten-free and low-fat menu options.
The drink list at Goldie's Shoreline Casino has everything you need to complete your meal (and your night out).
What do you need at the end of the workweek? A happy hour at Goldie's Shoreline Casino.
Whether you have a group of five or a group of 20, Goldie's Shoreline Casino can seat both large and small groups.
Amp up your evening with some music — live bands or a DJ often perform here.
The restaurant frequently features a DJ, so diners can treat their ears to some of the best beats around town. Those who enjoy dancing can make their mark on the open floor.
You may be better off finding a table during the week, as weekends at the restaurant tend to be packed.
Carry-out is also available for those who prefer to enjoy Goldie's Shoreline Casino's cooking from the comfort of their own home.
The lot adjacent to Goldie's Shoreline Casino provides free parking for diners.
Your bill at Goldie's Shoreline Casino will typically run less than $30 per person, so bring the whole gang!
Goldie's Shoreline Casino serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so stop by whenever is most convenient for you.
Nigh owls and early risers alike will appreciate that the restaurant is open 24 hours a day.

If you haven't been to Jersey's, it's the perfect time to enjoy the hugely-popular restaurant. It's a popular spot for visitors that want fantastic food.
If you're trying to plan your week, most patrons will share that Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the best nights to visit. Also, you'll definitely want to take advantage of its outdoor seating when the Pacific Northwest weather is cooperative. It should be noted that casual attire is encouraged. Also, if you're in the mood for tunes, it's a great option for live music.
It's been tabbed as a nice option for both families with children and large groups. WiFi's available if you want to link your device up, and if you need food provided for a local event, take advantage of its catering options. Or, if you're looking for the perfect spot to unwind after work, it's got a phenomenal happy hour and a pretty broad selection behind the bar.
Specializing in both lunch and dinner, Jersey's Great Food and Spirits is always a good choice to satisfy your next munchies craving. Don't worry about trying to find a spot on the street, as visitors to the restaurant do have access to a private parking lot nearby. Should you prefer to pedal over there, bicycle parking's also provided.

Enjoy a large array of finger food at Cabin Tavern, a local pub.
Don't expect to find any low-fat fare on Cabin Tavern's menu — you'll need to be prepared to indulge a bit.
Complete your meal with the perfect glass of wine or beer from Cabin Tavern's drink list.
Score quick and easy seating for your large group at Cabin Tavern.
Warm weather brings out Cabin Tavern's highly coveted patio seating.
Crowds tend to pack the place on weekends, so call ahead to reserve a table.
No suit, no problem! The dress code at laid-back Cabin Tavern is ultra casual.
Can't get enough of Cabin Tavern's tasty dishes? They also offer a catering service for parties and events.
Both street parking and lot parking are available near Cabin Tavern.
Bikers can store their bikes safely while they enjoy a meal at Cabin Tavern.
Cabin Tavern has menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — just pick your favorite meal and head over.

Red Crane Steak and Sushi Cafe is a Japanese restaurant located on Aurora Avenue North in Shoreline. With superb steak and tasty sushi, this Japanese restaurant will have you coming back for more. It's a popular spot for visitors interested in fantastic food.
No specific attire is required, so feel free to dress casually and comfortably.
If you just feel like stopping by for a beverage, the restaurant has helpful bar staff (and a good selection behind the bar).
A favorite in Shoreline, rolling over to Red Crane Steak and Sushi Cafe is definitely worthwhile. Don't worry about trying to find a spot on the street, as visitors to the restaurant do have access to a private parking lot nearby. Would you rather pedal your way there? Bicycle parking is also offered.

Craving finger food? Head to North City Tavern and chow down on classic pub fare.
The drink list at North City Tavern has everything you need to complete your meal (and your night out).
Bring your whole brood to North City Tavern, where families can dig in to tasty and kid-friendly fare together.
North City Tavern is known for its happy hour, which includes food and beverages.
Take advantage of the restaurant's open space and tap into your inner dancer.
Weekends are busy at the restaurant, so be prepared for longer wait times.
Drivers can find parking right by the restaurant, so don't forget your car keys.
North City Tavern is a prime location for cyclists to park their bikes and enjoy a bite to eat.

Groupon Guide

Sample rare brews at the Seattle International Beerfest, BYOP (bring your own pillow) to a Frozen sing-along, and groove to Jack White at Paramount Theater. Later in the week, the Cougars kick off the season against the Scarlet Knights, and Arabica Lounge celebrates chess and damn fine pie with a Twin Peaks–inspired night. Have fun, and as always, check out Groupon for more things to do in Seattle.
Seattle International Beerfest
Lower Queen Anne | Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24
This three-day festival celebrating rare and hard-to-find beers gathers together 200 brews from 16 countries right beneath the Space Needle. Admission includes 10 beer tickets, a souvenir glass, and reentry all weekend. Live musical acts including The Haggis Brothers and Jukehouse Hounds provide the soundtrack as guests sip 4-ounce pours on the lawn. (Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion; 305 Harrison St.; $25 in advance, $30 at the door; buy tickets here)
Frozen Sing-Along
Northgate | Monday, August 25, 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
If didn’t spend your summer belting out “Let It Go” in public, well, better late than never. Bring the whole family for this movie night and sing-along at the Northgate branch of the Seattle Public Library. The library will be providing free ice pops, but pillows (for sitting) are BYO. (10548 5th Ave. NE; free)
Jack White
Downtown | Tuesday, August 26, 7:30 p.m.
The former White Stripes frontman hits the Paramount Theatre on tour to promote his second solo album, Lazaretto, which debuted at No. 100 on the Billboard 200 chart and smashed a two-decade-long record for most vinyl albums sold in a week. Pitchfork reviewer Stephen M. Deusner called the album “the densest, fullest, craziest, and most indulgent that White has sounded.” (911 Pine St.; from $70; also playing on Monday, August 25, at 7 p.m.; buy tickets here)
Washington State vs. Rutgers
SoDo | Thursday, August 28, 7 p.m.
The Cougars go head-to-head with the Scarlet Knights for the 2014 season opener. Doors open at 6 p.m., but those who show up early can enjoy free activities—including kid-friendly inflatables and performances from the WSU marching band—to celebrate kick-off day. (CenturyLink Field; 800 Occidental Ave. S; $15 with Groupon)
Twin Peaks Chess Night
Capitol Hill | Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Once a month, the breakfast and brunch spot Arabica Lounge stays open late to host a Twin Peaks–themed event it bills as “an evening of backwards talking, damn fine drinks, and friendly chess.” Expect TVs screening episodes of the cult-favorite show, plus themed drinks. Oh, and pie. Of course pie. (1550 E Olive Way; no cover)

As if conjugating verbs wasn’t daunting enough, language lessons often come with a hefty price tag. But did you know there are a number of resources in Seattle where you can learn a new language for free? Below, we broke down a few to help you choose the one that best suits your experience level and learning style.
If You’re Just Starting: The Library
Flipping through language books may evoke flashbacks to freshman French class, but that’s not your only option at the library. Both the Seattle Public Library and the King County Library System give cardholders free access to online learning system Mango, which offers lessons in 63 languages, including French, Spanish, Mandarin, Yiddish, and Urdu (there’s even a surprisingly robust lesson in Pirate). The lessons are interactive and self-paced, and they focus on learning through conversations and context, rather than dry grammar instruction. To use, simply log in through the library website using your card, then create a personal Mango account to track your progress through each course.
For kids, the Seattle Public Library offers access to Muzzy, an online children’s program that offers instruction in 10 languages. The King County Library System’s kids’ program, meanwhile, is Little Pim. It offers a similar range of language options and, like Muzzy, focuses lessons around animated videos and vocabulary.
Both library networks also host live world-language storytimes for little ones in Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Hindu, and Russian, among others. Check out each library’s events page for schedules.
If You’re Ready to Perfect Your Accent: Language Groups
Online programs are great for establishing a foundation, but the best way to hone your developing language skills is through real conversation. Luckily, there are several meet-ups and conversation circles around Seattle where you can interact in your language of choice.
Practicing French speakers—and foodies—of any level will enjoy the French Conversation Table at Café Presse (1117 12th Ave.). Held every other Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the event is facilitated by Yasmina Mobarek, a native French speaker who has taught at the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University. The conversation is free and happens to coincide with Café Presse’s Vin Expresse—a “Paris-style” happy hour. So you can enjoy some pork confit and well-priced wine with your French chitchat. Chalk it up to research.
Meanwhile, French, German, and Spanish speakers will find a dedicated group of conversationalists at Third Place Commons (17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park). According to director Constance Perenyi, the pace of these groups makes them best for more practiced, intermediate-level speakers, but they are very welcoming to newcomers. The German group generally meets on Monday evenings, French on Tuesdays, and Spanish on Thursdays, but it’s best to check the Third Place Books calendar as they do not always meet every week.
Internet stalwart Meetup also lists a variety of active language groups in Seattle. The large Seattle Spanish Society hosts a fun, loose weekly Sunday-night meet-up at Barca (1510 11th Ave.) in Capitol Hill. The evening is open to advanced Spanish speakers and beginners alike. You can also find active Japanese, Italian, German, and Korean groups on the website. A few of the groups ask for a small annual membership contribution ($5–$15), but this might be voluntary or something you can wait to pay after you’ve gotten a feel for the group and made certain it’s a good fit.
If You Just Want to Order Without Fear: Language Classes for Travelers
If you’re thinking of learning a language for an upcoming trip to Europe, Rick Steves’ Travel Center (130 4th Ave. N, Edmonds) regularly schedules free 90-minute language classes along with its general travel curriculum. The lessons won’t make you fluent, but they can help you pick up a few key phrases in Czech, German, Swedish, Turkish, or Spanish so you can confidently order off a menu or ask for directions. Italian instructor Graz Palumbo-Perry is especially popular for her fun and engaging style; her two-part Beginning Italian for Travelers often fills up fast, so be sure to register early.

This week: eat big at the Seattle Street Food Festival on Saturday to fuel up for Bicycle Sunday. Then, enjoy paella and sangria at Terra Plata, party '90s-style with Counting Crows and Toad the Wet Sprocket, and wrap up the week with Shakespeare in the park. Have fun and, as always, check out Groupon for more things to do in Seattle.
Seattle Street Food Festival
Capitol Hill | Saturday, August 9, noon to 10 p.m.
What started three years ago as the Mobile Food Rodeo has expanded to a full festival of street food. This year’s food trucks include Off the Rez, How Pickle Got Out of a Jam, Lumpia World, Ezell’s Chicken, and Full Tilt Ice Cream. Vendors will all have a $5 menu item to encourage sampling from lots of stops. Also featured: a pop-up picnic, beer garden, and Urban Craft Uprising marketplace. (Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave.; free admission, $5+ individual dishes, $30 VIF pass, $75+ picnic pop-up; buy tickets here)
Bicycle Sunday
Lake Washington | Sunday, August 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Lake Washington Boulevard is closed to motorized vehicles Sunday, allowing families to take their bikes for a beautiful ride by the shore without any worry about cars or traffic. Consider packing a picnic to enjoy at Mount Baker Beach at the north end of the ride or Seward Park at the south. (Lake Washington Boulevard from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park; free)
Paella Night at Terra Plata
Capitol Hill | Monday, August 11, 5 p.m.
Terra Plata can be relied on for excellent food every night of the week, but Mondays are especially delicious with special paella selections, pintxos and tapas, sangria, and flights of Spanish wine. For the designated driver in the group, check out the housemade sodas in flavors like jalapeño and mint or black currant and fennel seed. Weather permitting, grab a seat on the rooftop patio. (1501 Melrose Ave.; $15 per person for paella)
Counting Crows at Marymoor Park
Redmond | Tuesday, August 12, 6 p.m.
Smiling in the bright lights and coming through in stereo, Adam Duritz (who turned 50 this month!) and the rest of Counting Crows will take the stage for an outdoor concert at Marymoor Park, where they’ll be joined by openers and fellow '90s hit-makers Toad the Wet Sprocket. (6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. NE, Redmond; $45–$75; buy tickets here)
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Beacon Hill | Friday, August 15, 7 p.m.
Shakespeare in the park is a summer tradition that GreenStage has kept alive through 26 seasons, but this summer is the organization’s first performing at Jefferson Park. This early Shakespeare comedy delivers romantic hijinks galore when the King of Navarre and his pals attempt to swear off women for three years, just as a lovely princess swings into town. (3801 Beacon Ave. S; free; see additional performances here)
Love's Labor's Lost photos courtesy of GreenStage and Ken Holmes